Luggage-rack for bicycles



N0. 6|0,244. Patented Sept. 6, I898.

G. W. SCHEPMAN. LUGGAGE RACK FOR BICYGLES.

(Application filed Oct. 11, 1897.)

(No Model.)

WITNEEEEE! |NVENTDR )fjfi w- W AT-T UR N Ey Nirn STATES PATENT FFICE.

LUGGAGE-RACK FOR BICYCLES,

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 610,244, datedSeptember 6, 1898. A li ti filed October 11 I897. Serial NOKGMJH. (Nomodel-) To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. SOHEPMAN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Richmond, in the county of Wayne and State of Indiana, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Luggage-Racks for Bicycles; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being hadto the accompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference markedthereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in luggagecarriers for bicycles.

The object of the said invention is to provide a carrier with a capacityfor supporting an unusually heavy load or large package such, forexample, as a valise, traveling-case, &c. This is obtained by attachingthe carrier to the upper part of the head of the bicycle and extendingthe holding-clamp at that point a considerable distance back on eachside of the upper horizontal tube of the frame and securely fastening itat that point and in clamping it again just above the front diagonaltube, as will hereinafter more fully appear from the accompanyingspecification, taken in connection with the annexed drawings, of Which--Figure 1 is a side elevation of myimproved luggage-carrier attached tothe steering-head of a bicycle. Fig. 2 is a top plan view. Fig. 3 is anenlarged detached view of one of the clamps for holding the carrier tothe frame.

In the specification similar reference characters indicate the sameparts in the drawings.

1 designates the steering-head, 2 the upper horizontal tube, and 3 thefront diagonal tube, all well-known parts of a bicycle-frame.

The carrier is preferably constructed of flat bar-steel, and consists ofthe following novel features of construction.

4 and 5 designate two upper horizontal bars which are turned inwardly at6 and tightly secured to each other by a bolt or in any suitable manner.These bars continue back in a horizontal line, snugly embracing theforging 7 and conforming to the shape thereof, and, continuing back,terminate in arms or extensions 8 on both sides of the horizontal tube2. It is essential that these extensions 8 reach back a substantialdistance in the rear of the forging. At this point the arms orextensions are securely fastened to the horizontal tube by a neat clamp9. This upper connection of the carrier to the frame forms a bearing atthe upper part of the steering-head against outward pressure or strainon the carrier when it is loaded. It is therefore important that theconnection between the carrier and the upper head of the bicycle be of amost rigid and substantial kind, as shown in the drawings.

10 is an inner and upper horizontal bar which is rigidly attached to thehorizontal bars 4 and 5 and forms the upper rail of the carrier, againstwhich the package is tightened.

' 11 is a vertical bar rigidly connected centrally to the bar 10. Thisbar 11 has also rigidly attached to its lower end a clamp 13, whichincloses the lower portion of the steering-head above the diagonal tube3. There is also rigidly connected to said vertical bar 11 at its lowerend a horizontal bar 12, from which two lower supporting-bars 14: 14.project at rightangles. These bars 14. extend downwardly from said bar12 and outwardly in horizontal lines and have their outer ends turnedup, as at 15, to inclose the outer bot tom edge of the article supportedthereon.

The broken lines in the drawings indicate a box or package in positionon the carrier.

16 designates a leather strap or felt lining on the'inner sides of theclamps and on the innersides of the several metallic bars comprising thecarrier to prevent the enamel on the bicycle-frame from being marred andto also prevent any damage of like nature to the article supported onthe carrier.

17 designates leather straps that have ends secured to the outer ends ofthe horizontal bar 10. These straps pass around the upper portion of theluggage or package and are secured by a buckle 18 at the front.

The load on the carrier is mainly supported on the portion of thecarrier that is attached to the head of the bicycle, so that a greatportion of the weight is distributed to the head. The tensile strain ismainly upon the upper connection, while the strain due to the weight orgravity is borne by both connections at a point close to thesteering-head. Owing to the rigid construction of the carrier the loaddoes not cause any swinging or vibratory motion when the wheel is on theroad, the whole being practically one rigid part with the steering-head.

In the drawings I have shown the appliance attached to a bicycle of thediamondframe type; but it may be conveniently attached to ladies wheelsalso without departing from the essential features of the constructionherein shown and described.

Having described my invention, I claim A luggage-carrier for bicycles,comprising two horizontal bars 4 and 5 united and forming a loop adaptedto surround the steeringhead of a'bicycle, and terminating in rearwardextensions 8 adapted to inclosethe sides of the upper brace-tube of abicycle frame, a horizontal bar 10 rigidly attached to said bars 4 and5, an upright bar 11 rigidly attached to said bar 10, a clamp forsecuring the extensions 8 to the upper brace-tube, and a clamp forsecuring the upright bar 11 to the lower portion of the steering-head,supporting-bars 14 14 upon which the luggage is supported,

